Police Scotland is facing intense criticism over plans to spend almost a million pounds hiring a 'human rights adviser', with opponents accusing the force of prioritising 'virtue-signalling' over fighting crime.
Controversial Appointment Amid Financial Strain
The new role, which will cost taxpayers £725,000 plus VAT over a three-year contract starting in January, has been condemned as 'meddling' in frontline policing operations. Documents reveal the position could cost up to £999,000 if expenses increase.
The human rights adviser will provide 'operational human rights advice' to senior officers during the 'planning and execution' of active policing operations. Additionally, the appointee will conduct a comprehensive review of all force training, guidance and operating procedures to eliminate 'unconscious bias and discrimination'.
This appointment comes despite Police Scotland already employing an assistant chief constable for Policing Together on a salary exceeding £150,000 per year, whose responsibilities specifically cover equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights.
Growing Backlash and Budget Concerns
John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, expressed outrage at the decision. 'It's absurd that Police Scotland is spending nearly £1 million on a so-called human rights adviser to meddle in frontline policing while also pleading poverty,' he stated. 'This shows just how skewed priorities have become, moving away from frontline policing to bureaucratic box-ticking.'
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr echoed these concerns, noting: 'When police numbers have fallen to woefully low levels and the force is unable to investigate every crime, officers and law-abiding Scots alike expect scarce resources to be directed towards frontline policing.'
The controversy follows revelations that Chief Constable Jo Farrell, who earns £270,000 annually, cost taxpayers £134,000 when purchasing a second home. The senior officer bought a £595,000 flat in Edinburgh while maintaining her £1 million family home in Northumberland, with relocation expenses of £69,901 and 'tax costs' of £64,525.
Operational Changes and Defence
Over the past two years, Police Scotland has controversially implemented a 'proportionate' approach to crime, where officers don't launch full investigations into offences considered 'minor' without immediate leads like CCTV footage. Between August 2023 and February 2024, more than 12,000 reported crimes were 'directly filed' without full investigation.
Despite these operational challenges, Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton defended the substantial expenditure on the new role. 'Police Scotland is committed to upholding the human rights of all our communities, both within policing and wider society,' she said. 'Human rights advice will provide us with guidance on a wide range of issues to help us deliver sustainable improvements to outcomes across the service.'
The force is also recruiting three additional staff members to support implementing Human Rights and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives across the organisation.
